New Years Resolutions for 2013

Time to compile a list of resolutions for 2013! Some of my resolutions from last year made the list once again - maybe I'll actually accomplish them this time. There's always hope! 

1. Shower in less than 7 minutes. 

2. Avoid fast fashion.

3. Travel somewhere new (and purchase carbon offsets for the trip).

4. Purchase less processed foods. 

5. Attend two green events per month.

6. Take more of my own photography for Boston Green Blog.

7. Do an unplugged workout 3 times per week. 

8. Clean with home-made natural supplies. 

Downton Abbey's Lady Grantham - Unknowingly Green!

I am a huge Downton Abbey enthusiast, and I am eagerly awaiting the U.S. season 3 premiere! And since I always keep my eye out for green ideas - I thought I would share some of my favorite quotes of Cousin Violet/Dowager Countess of Grantham when she is being unknowingly green. Afterall, she thinks electricity is pointless! She prefers living off the grid (before people really knew what the grid was!).

Image courtesy of  http://www.tumblr.com/tagged/dowager-countess-of-grantham

"I couldn't have electricity in the house, I wouldn't sleep a wink. All those vapors floating about."

“First electricity, now telephones. Sometimes I feel as if I’m living in an H.G. Wells novel.”

Just a reminder that we can still be classy without all of the latest and greatest technology!

Cooking with Less Waste

Over the holiday weekend I did a lot of cooking with my family. Like many families, our Christmas traditions revolve around food. There is cookie decorating, the Christmas morning quiche, the elaborate bloody marys, and when we're finished opening presents and eating brunch, its already time to begin preparing the Christmas dinner feast! Luckily, my family is totally behind me in this whole "going green" mentality, so our quiche was made with organic, cage-free eggs, and we had many vegetarian side-dishes to choose from. But our new green Christmas tradition is composting!

Up in the 'burbs, we have a big woodsy yard, so this summer my parents decided to start a compost pile behind our house. The whole process is surprisingly easy. We keep a small bowl in the kitchen where we toss coffee grounds, egg shells, and fruit/vegetable scraps. At the end of each day, one of us empties the bowl into a larger, air-tight container in the garage. (Like the one pictured below). When this container is full, its slowly biodegrading contents are put on the compost pile in the yard. The decomposition process is slower in the winter, but in the warmer weather we will begin turning the pile. And eventually, we will have nice rich soil to use in our vegetable garden!

image courtesy of crafts.kaboose.com

Mark Your Eco-Holiday Progress on Practically Green

Have you been working to make your holiday greener than ever this season? I've made some of my own upcycled gift wrap, bought fairly traded gifts, and sent holiday greetings via e-mail instead of USPS. If you've taken some similar steps, give yourself a pat on the back! And give yourself some recognition by marking off the actions you've completed on Practically Green's Holiday Giving Guide!

By marking keeping track of your progress on Practically Green, you'll feel more satisfied with your efforts by earning badges. And the website is bursting with more easy green living tips (which are great to look through as you plan out your new year's resolutions!)

images courtesy of PracticallyGreen.com

Unconventional Wrapping Paper Ideas

One great way to green your holidays this year is by wrapping gifts using recycled or upcycled materials. When I'm feeling creative, I love cutting brown paper bags and decorating the blank side with stamps, glitter and drawings for a DIY touch to my gift-wrap.

image courtesy of inhabitots.com

Here are some other ways to cut down on traditional wrapping paper waste:

image courtesy of inhabitat.com

Wearable wrapping - if your friends and family wear scarves, wrap the rest of their gift in one for a totally waste-free gift. Same could be done with a shirt or cute dish towels

An old map is a great look for gift wrap! Lets be honest, we all use Google maps now anyway, so its time to clear out your car's glove compartment. 

image courtesy of simplyhealthyfam.blogspot.com

With a little ribbon, newspaper can actually look quite cute!

For small gifts, decorate an Altoids tin.

This upcycled wine/champagne bag is simply amazing. 

Vegetarian Christmas Dinner Recipes

Balsamic Roasted Brussel Sprouts

Ingredients:
1 pound brussel sprouts
1/8 cup diced pine nuts
balsamic vinegar
olive oil
parmesan cheese


• Instructions:1. Trim and peel away the outer leaves of each Brussels sprout and then half them.
• 
  
• 2. Slide the Brussels sprout halves onto the skewers, about six to eight halves per skewer.
  3. Line a baking dish with parchment paper and places the skewers halved-side up.
  4. Drizzle olive oil and balsamic vinegar over each skewer, trying to “fill up” the Brussels sprouts.
  5. Bake the skewers at 400 degrees for about 30 minutes until they are cooked and crispy.
  6. Plate the skewers on a serving tray and cover them with shaved Parmesan and the pine nuts.

  
  

  
  

  Wild Mushroom & Port Brioche

  
  

  

  
  

  Ingredients:

  
  

  2 tbsp olive oil

  225g chestnut mushrooms , quartered

  115g shiitake mushrooms , halved

  2 large field mushrooms , sliced

  3 sticks celery , finely chopped

  1 onion , cut into thin wedges

  2 garlic cloves , crushed

  300ml red wine

  1.2l hot vegetable stock

  2 sprigs fresh thyme

  150ml port

  1 tbsp redcurrant jelly

  6 brioche rolls

  flatleaf parsleyto garnish

  
  

  
  Heat oven to 190C/fan 170C/gas 5. Heat 1 tbsp oil in a large pan, then fry mushrooms for 4-5 mins, stirring occasionally, until lightly browned. Remove with a slotted spoon, then set aside. Add remaining oil to the pan, then fry the celery, onion and garlic over a low heat, stirring occasionally, for 5-6 mins. Add wine, stock and thyme and bring to the boil. Simmer for 30 mins.
  
  Add the port and redcurrant jelly. Bring back to the boil, then boil for 10 mins until reduced by half and thick and syrupy. Season to taste, discard the thyme and stir in the mushrooms. Simmer for 5 mins.
  Meanwhile, pull the tops off the brioche and reserve, then pick out dough from the centre to leave a thick shell. (Process remaining dough to make breadcrumbs, then freeze for future use.) Place rolls on a baking sheet, then bake for 5-7 mins until hot and crisp.
  
  Spoon the mushroom mixture into the brioche rolls, then garnish with the flat-leaf parsley. Serve immediately with any remaining gravy, potato wedges and green beans.
  
  Ready-made brioche Ready-made brioche rolls make wonderfully buttery cases for this rich wine and mushroom filling.
  
  Recipe from Good Food magazine, Vegetarian Christmas 2006.
  
  

RRR Idea: How to Reuse Holiday Cards

1. Gather all cards you've received this year (or any that you still might have from past years). Open each to see if there is any writing on the left inside of the card.

2. Recycle all cards that have writing on the left side.

3. Cut along the fold of all cards without writing on the left. This essentially turns the front of the card into a blank postcard!

4. Use your newly created postcards as gift tags or holiday cards for next year!

image courtesy of simplemom.net

Christmas & Consumption

I don't think anyone considers their Christmas to be all about presents, but gift-giving remains a time-honored tradition that people around the world look forward to each year. I love giving (and receiving!) Christmas gifts too, but the article below is a great reminder to give only things that the recipient will actually use - don't just give for the sake of giving.

The article entitled The Gift of Death by George Monbiot is pessimistic, but enlightening:

"But many of the products we buy, especially for Christmas, cannot become obsolescent. The term implies a loss of utility, but they had no utility in the first place. An electronic drum-machine t-shirt; a Darth Vader talking piggy bank; an ear-shaped i-phone case; an individual beer can chiller; an electronic wine breather; a sonic screwdriver remote control; bacon toothpaste; a dancing dog: no one is expected to use them, or even look at them, after Christmas Day. They are designed to elicit thanks, perhaps a snigger or two, and then be thrown away."

 So, in the words of Monbiot, this Christmas try something more long-lasting, homemade, or meaningful:

"Bake them a cake, write them a poem, give them a kiss, tell them a joke, but for god’s sake stop trashing the planet to tell someone you care. All it shows is that you don’t."

image courtesy of eandt.org

Upcycled Christmas Decorations

In the mood for some DIY? Use that creative spirit to make some festive and green decorations for the holidays:

CDs ----> Ornaments

Wine corks ------> Mini Christmas Tree

Scrap paper ----> Gift bows

To find out how to do all of these (and more) upcycling crafts, check out Boston Green Blog on Pinterest.

Green Gift Ideas Continued: Treehugger Guides

Only 14 days left until Christmas! So far Boston Green Blog has featured eco-friendly gift ideas from
The Nature Conservancy, The New England Aquarium, Lauren Conrad, and Jess Rizzuti  . But if you need a more comprehensive guide, take a look at TreeHugger's 2012 Gift Guide. TreeHugger composes the best  gift guides on the web, so you're sure to find something for everyone on your list!

Some of my favs that I found through TreeHugger are:

Agate Plates & Coasters from VivaTerra

Earrings from Lulu Frost

Upcycled Clutch Made from Books from Conduit Press

20% Off Jess Rizzuti Eco Friendly Bags Until Dec. 31

Designer Jess Rizzuti is treating Boston Green Blog readers to 20% off all products purchased between now and December 31, 2012!!!! All you have to do is use the code: zutifam2012

Jess Rizzuti is known for gorgeous, stylish, ethically-made handbags. She is best known for her cork bags and has been nominatedtwo years in a row for her creations in cork as Best Green Handbag in the Independent Handbag Designer Awards sponsored by InStyle. The eco friendly designs utilized water-based dyes/glue, heat transferred patterns, renewable resources, and waste reduction concepts.

Eco Gift Ideas by Lauren Conrad

Whoever thought Lauren Conrad, the blonde celebutante from The Hills, would become an eco spokeswoman?! It turns out that her website has some fabulous eco-chic gift lists!

1. 5 Eco-chic Gift Ideas

2. XO(eco) collection for Blue Avocado

3. Gift Guide for The Hostess

Green Motown Holiday Cruise is This Weekend!

Boston Green Fest and the Foundation for a Green Future are hosting a Green Motown Holiday Cruise this Saturday, December 8, 2012!

Tickets include:
Boston Harbor Cruise
Concert featuring The Drifters and The Platters
Three-course Gourmet Meal

Sponsored by Westin Copley Hotel
Followed by an After Pary at FiRE & ICE in Cambridge.

Reserve your tickets here asap!

Make a Splash with Eco Gifts from the New England Aquarium

Last week I shared some gift ideas from The Nature Conservancy, and now that December is here, the holidays are speedily approaching! Below are some more eco-conscious gift ideas - these ones come from the New England Aquarium.

image courtesy of http://www.neaq.org

BOSTON, Mass. – This holiday season, make all of your family and friends’ aquatic dreams come true and dive into a sea of unique eco-friendly gifts at the New England Aquarium.  Think outside the box and show your loved ones you care about them as well as the blue planet and its creatures. Your purchase will not only bring joy and inspiration to others but will also help to support the Aquarium’s education, conservation and research programs.

Surprise someone with an unforgettable one-to-one animal encounter at $75 for Aquarium members and $100 for non-members, or make someone a Proud Parent animal sponsor of a baby seal, sea turtle or penguin with sponsorship levels starting at just $35. Looking for something bigger? Make a donation to the Aquarium in the name of a loved one or as a sponsor of a North Atlantic right whale. Can’t get enough of the Aquarium’s adorable aquatic creatures? Visit the Aquarium’s gift shop to find an array of plush stuffed animals, marine-themed apparel and various educational and interactive toys and games.

Looking for something that lasts beyond the holidays?  Give the gift that keeps on giving with a one-year Aquarium membership with prices starting at $85 based on membership levels. With unlimited express admission and discounts to Aquarium programs, your friend or family member is guaranteed to learn something new with every visit.  Benefits of a one-year Aquarium membership include - but are not limited to - invitations to exclusive members-only events, discounted tickets to the Aquarium’s IMAX theater and a free subscription to blue, the Aquarium’s quarterly member magazine, and SeaMail, the Aquarium’s monthly member e-newsletter.

With products and experiences appropriate for all ages and a mission to preserve the world’s oceans, holiday shopping has never been so fun, easy or rewarding. Stop by the Aquarium’s on-site gift shop located in the lobby of the Aquarium’s West Wing, open weekdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and weekends from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., or, explore the Aquarium’s online gift shop:www.neaq.org/gifts. Can’t find what you’re looking for?  Call 617-973-5266 or emailneaqstore@eventnetwork.com.